10 TV Shows Like ‘Underworld’ You Should Watch Next
The original A Different World was a groundbreaking sitcom for its era, its six seasons highlighting the aspirations of Black people for academic careers among characters so memorable that we still see them decades later. The updated version, created by Felicia Pride, who starred in Queen Sugar, became a critical and ratings hit for Netflix, earning a rare prize in the world of streaming television: a quick second season renewal. While you wait for season two, here are some more smart coming-of-age shows that combine heart and humor with realistic drama.
Grown-ish (2018–2024)
This series is a perfect match for A Different World . It follows Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi) from Black-ish , who leaves home to attend a (fictional) California liberal arts college (in the final few seasons, the focus shifts to her brother Andre, played by Marcus Scribner, after college). The series centers on driven young adults who are prone to making serious mistakes on the path to adulthood. Grown-ish is a true comedy-drama that feels (almost) realistic in a way that many other college-themed series fail to do. Watch Grown-ish on Hulu .
Dear White People (2017–2021)
Adapted from and expanded upon by the 2014 film, this series takes us to a (fictional) Ivy League university. It’s a comedy-drama that examines campus life and politics from a completely different perspective than Rooster . Logan Browning leads the cast as Sam White, who, seemingly by accident, launches a radio show of the same name after a racially motivated incident on campus. Far from the racist rant some unscrupulous YouTubers have deemed it to be, the series never shies away from exploring the complex and sometimes absurd contradictions of student activism, and each episode explores life at Winchester University from a different character’s perspective.Watch Dear White People on Netflix.
Sex Lives of College Girls (2021–2025)
Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet) is a hopelessly naive college student who has won a scholarship; Bela (Amrit Kaur) is an aspiring comedy writer who strives to attract the attention of the hottest guys; Whitney (Alia Chanel Scott) is an ambitious athlete and the daughter of a senator; and Layton (Renee Rapp) is a closeted sorority girl. They are all randomly assigned to the same room at the fictional Essex College in Vermont for their freshman year. Created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, this comedy-drama isn’t as explicit as its title suggests. There’s sex, sure, but it’s mostly a funny, LGBTQ-friendly show that’s less about a single romantic lead than it is about growing up and the value of female friendship. Watch “Coed Sex Lives” on HBO Max .
Borders (2024–2026)
Although the film moves back a couple of years to show the teenagers in high school, the setting of this British film is entirely believable: its students are living away from home and family for the first time in their lives. At the fictional prestigious boarding school St. Gilbert’s, five black teenagers are admitted on scholarships, but their integration into the existing cliques doesn’t go smoothly—especially considering they’re there primarily for publicity. “Boarding School” combines teen romance, coming-of-age drama, and a delightful willingness to poke fun at the whole “rich private school” thing. Watch “Boarding School” on Tubi .
Bel-Air (2022–2025)
Another modern take on a beloved ’80s/’90s sitcom, this one is a bit different, being a complete reimagining with no plot connection to the original. While A Different World is a comedy with dramatic undertones, this series is more of a serious drama. Fans of the beloved original will be surprised to see a serious show with the same premise as the original Will Smith series—a show that often leans toward heavy realism. Jabari Banks plays, er, Will Smith, a 16-year-old from West Philadelphia who moves in with his aunt and uncle in Bel Air after being charged with gun possession and having a run-in with a Philadelphia drug kingpin. Banks is charismatic and compelling, bringing a ton of personality to a show that occasionally takes a turn for the dark. Watch Bel Air on Peacock .
Overcompensation (2025 – )
Comedian Benito Skinner plays himself, sort of, in this acclaimed comedy about a former high school athlete who begins his freshman year of college desperately trying to convince himself and everyone else that he’s completely straight (understandable, if not for the jock part). Much of the film’s appeal lies in its deft blend of tones: it’s simultaneously an often-frank college comedy and a sweet coming-of-age story about accepting yourself without worrying about what others think. The cast includes Adam DiMarco ( White Lotus ) and Rish Shah ( Ms. Marvel ), and while it’s more of a coming-of-age story for one young man, he’s bolstered by a strong ensemble cast. Watch Overcompensation on Prime Video.
All-American athlete (2018–2026)
All American (for most of its run) centers on Spencer James (Daniel Ezra), based on real-life NFL linebacker Spencer Paysinger. A star player at Crenshaw High School, he receives an offer from his coach (Taye Diggs) to play for the Beverly Hills team, forcing Spencer to balance two very different worlds while trying to build a life and potential career.Watch All American on Netflix.
